Hamilton, 38, announced his candidacy Thursday in advance of a Dallas meet-and-greet with precinct chairs. He said his goal is to unify the party and maximize its potential.

"The single most important thing we have to do for our country is rebuild our local Democratic parties," Hamilton told The Dallas Morning News. We are far from our potential. We need a new vision and new leadership."

Chris Hamilton (provided)

Chris Hamilton (provided)

Hamilton said Dallas County Democrats could lead a progressive revolution that impacts Texas and beyond.

"We're on the front lines of the battle for this country," he said. "All eyes are on Texas. We're not where we need to be. There's an opportunity in this moment to build a bigger, broader coalition."

Donovan, who in 2015 won a special election to replace Darlene Ewing as leader of the Dallas County Democratic Party, has said she is running for re-election and is proud of the accomplishments Democrats have made under her watch.

"I am running on my record, and I will run to win," Donovan said Thursday. "I am the only candidate in the race who has ever been involved with the Dallas County Democratic Party. Dallas County has been blue for over 10 years, and under my leadership, we have increased our Democratic representation."

Hamilton's announcement drew fire from state Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, who is also an outspoken critic of Donovan and the leadership of the local Democratic Party.

He went on to say: "There are some real cynical folks out there who think our communities are for sale and who also think we will be happy to replace one master with another. Sorry, Charlie. I'm woke and always have been. This is a not even well disguised power play. Rich doesn't equal smart and broke doesn't equal dumb."

Later, Johnson told The Dallas Morning News that he preferred a person of color from the millennial generation to lead the party.

"My ideal candidate would be from the southern sector and a young person of color," Johnson said. "We need to empower the base of our party. That's where our future lies."

Johnson did not comment on whether he would recruit a candidate who fits his description.

Democrats elect their next local leader in March.

Prominent Dallas lawyer and Democratic Party benefactor Lisa Blue Baron is Hamilton's campaign finance chairwoman. His campaign co-chairs include Dallas ISD school board member Miguel Solis and Democrat Chad Crews, and his treasurer is former Dallas City Council candidate Baranda Fermin.

Later Thursday, Hamilton's campaign also announced endorsements from U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas and Marc Veasey of Fort Worth.

Hamilton said Democrats should have control of at least eight statehouse seats in Dallas County districts now held by Republicans.

"That is ripe for the taking," he said.

The election of Donald Trump has energized progressives to resist the new president's policies.

Hamilton said new leadership was needed to bottle that enthusiasm.

"We have got to get this energy in the party," Hamilton said. "It could be a game-changer."

Donovan, however, said experience was needed to steer the party through the 2018 elections.

"This is not the time to switch to a leader who needs on-the-job training," she said. "We have too much at stake as we prepare for 2018."

Carol Donovan

Democrats have dominated Dallas County politics since 2006. They hold most countywide seats and have a 4-1 majority on the county Commissioners Court.

The 2018 marquee race features incumbent Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson. The Republican, if she avoids trouble in a GOP primary, will try to fend off Democrats who have vowed to retake the post. The Democratic Party primary for district attorney currently features former state district judges John Creuzot and Elizabeth Frizell.